chased winner afte 6th, ridden and no impression winner when mistake 3 out, weakened
always last, mistakes 6th & 8th, outpaced and no chance 3 out
chased winner to after 6th, not fluent 7th, outpaced and no chance before 3 out
It is disappointing that Baracouda and Rooster Booster have opted out of this race but it gives Quazar a good chance to stake his claims to the staying hurdles crown. Jonjo O'Neill's admirable five-year-old seems best suited by today's trip rather than the two miles which saw him defeated by the highly-rated Well Chief at Wincanton last time. That said he has shown himself to be very useful at both two- and two-and-a-half miles and, still only five, can keep on improving. Mr Cool, who nearly caused a shock in this race last year, looks to be his biggest danger, as he is receiving eight pounds. Court Shareef has shown very good form at novice level but it would be a surprise if he could handle the leading pair in this race, while Sir Talbot is a shadow of the horse that won the County Hurdle in 1999 and has a long absence to overcome also. All in all, then, Quazar looks the one to beat.
